Claude Code for developers
How experienced developers use Claude Code: advanced workflows, productivity tips, and integration with existing development practices.
Your profile
You write code every day. You know the terminal, Git, and at least one programming language. You're looking for a tool that speeds up your workflow without sacrificing code quality.
Whether you're junior or senior, this path takes you from installation to mastering Claude Code's advanced features.
Estimated time
Plan 2 to 3 hours to go through all the steps. You can also spread them over several days.
Your journey
Understand Claude Code
Before installing anything, take 5 minutes to understand what Claude Code does (and doesn't do). This page compares Claude Code to Copilot and Cursor, and explains how it works in the command line.
Read: What is Claude Code?
Install and configure
Installation takes less than 5 minutes if you already have Node.js. If not, the guide covers everything from scratch.
Read: Prerequisites and installation, then Environment setup
Create your first project
A hands-on tutorial to get started with Claude Code on a real project. You'll see how to formulate your requests and iterate on the result.
Master prompting
Prompting is the key skill. A good prompt makes the difference between a mediocre result and an excellent one. Start with the basics, then explore advanced patterns.
Read: Prompting basics, then Advanced directives, then Advanced prompting
Configure CLAUDE.md
The CLAUDE.md file is Claude Code's persistent memory. Well configured, it turns every session into an intelligent continuation of the previous one.
Read: CLAUDE.md guide
Connect your tools with MCPs
MCPs connect Claude Code to GitHub, your databases, Playwright, Sentry, and dozens of other tools. This is where Claude Code becomes truly powerful.
Read: Understanding MCPs, then Top development MCPs, then First MCP workflow
Automate with agents
Agents delegate complex tasks to specialized sub-agents: code review, TDD, security, refactoring. It's the level above standard prompting.
Read: Understanding agents, then Create a sub-agent, then Top agents by use case
Explore advanced features
Hooks to automate actions, headless mode for your CI/CD pipelines, multi-provider to choose the right model for each task.
Read: Hooks system, then Headless mode and CI/CD
Next steps
Your developer path is complete. Here are some directions to go further:
- Optimize your costs: see Real costs of Claude Code to understand your token consumption
- Explore plugins: the Plugins section complements MCPs with specialized tools
- Create your own MCPs: if you have specific needs, follow the Create an MCP in TypeScript or in Python tutorial
- Keep the reference handy: the Cheatsheet summarizes all commands on one page